Tim Tebow not coming to Pebble Beach

After lengthy talks with AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am officials, Tebow decided not to play in the upcoming tournament. He was interested, absolutely, but he also sustained a rib injury in Denver’s divisional playoff loss to New England.

“Torn rib cartilage is not good for the golf swing,” tournament chief Ollie Nutt said in an e-mail today.

Tebow reportedly emerged from the game with rib, lung and chest injuries. He would not have played in the AFC Championship Game had the Broncos advanced (though the Patriots quickly squashed that possibility), according to the Denver Post.

Even without Tebow, next month’s AT&T will have a decidedly football flavor. New England quarterback Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will play, fresh off the Super Bowl against the New York Giants. The Super Bowl is Feb. 5 and the golf tournament begins on Feb. 9.

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and Alabama coach Nick Saban also are in the field. Romo is expected to play alongside Tiger Woods, who is returning to the AT&T for the first time since 2002.